Parents often ask if orthodontics can help a child who mouth breathes, snores, or has a crossbite. Short answer: sometimes—with the right diagnosis and the right timing. Here’s a clear, evidence-based guide to what we screen for at the first orthodontic check-up around age 7 and when we consider treatment.
Why “Age 7” matters
By age 7, enough permanent teeth are in to evaluate growth, bite, and early risk factors (crossbite, crowding, functional shifts). An early check doesn’t mean braces—it means smart timing. American Association of Orthodontists
Related: our page for Orthodontics for Children. Beautiful Smiles
Airway red flags we look for
- Habitual mouth breathing or open-mouth posture during the day
- Snoring, restless sleep, bed-wetting beyond typical ages
- Posterior crossbite or narrow upper arch
- Daytime symptoms: headaches, attention issues, daytime sleepiness
What we do at the visit: thorough bite analysis, growth assessment, and airway screening with history, visualization of tonsillar size/tongue posture; and, when indicated, coordinated referral to pediatrics/ENT for further evaluation (e.g., sleep study). AAPD
When expansion helps—and when it doesn’t
A palatal expander can correct a true transverse deficiency and crossbite, create eruption space, and may improve nasal airflow in select cases—when the problem is skeletal width. It is not a blanket treatment for all snoring or pediatric OSA. We reserve expansion for clearly indicated bites after proper assessment and, if sleep-disordered breathing is suspected, in collaboration with your child’s physician/ENT. Beautiful SmilesPMC
- See our Palate Expander page for how expansion works and adjustment instructions. Beautiful Smiles
What orthodontics can and cannot claim (keeping it honest)
- Orthodontists screen and co-manage airway concerns; we don’t diagnose OSA.
- Evidence does not support using palatal expansion solely because of OSA without orthodontic indications.
- Gold-standard pediatric OSA care often starts with medical management/ENT (e.g., adenotonsillectomy when appropriate); dental interventions are adjunctive in a team approach. AAPDScienceDirect
Good timing prevents bigger problems later
Catching crossbites and growth issues early can prevent asymmetric jaw growth, reduce impaction risk, and simplify comprehensive care in the teen years. Early care is selective—not every child needs treatment at 7—but every child benefits from the evaluation. American Association of Orthodontists
What to bring to your child’s visit
- Any snoring/sleep notes (videos help) and a brief symptom history
- Pediatrician/ENT notes or prior imaging if available
- Dental insurance card—we verify benefits up front and file for you
Why families in Newtown choose us
- Board-certified, one-doctor continuity—no hand-offs
- Fully digital records, clear communication, and conservative when possible
- In-network with Cigna; we file all other PPOs to maximize benefits
- Two convenient locations near Newtown with evening/virtual consults
Learn more about our Southbury office and Waterbury office. Beautiful Smiles
Thinking about aligners later? We provide both Invisalign and Clear Aligners for teens and adults when appropriate. Beautiful Smiles+1
FAQ (for parents in Newtown)
Do all mouth-breathing kids need expanders?
No. We treat the bite we see and coordinate with medical providers for airway disorders. Expansion is used for true maxillary constriction/crossbite—not as a one-size-fits-all fix. PMC
Is the first exam really at age 7?
Yes. It’s to evaluate, not necessarily to treat. Many kids are observed until the right window. American Association of Orthodontists
Can orthodontics cure pediatric OSA?
Orthodontics alone is rarely curative. Management is multidisciplinary (pediatrics/ENT, sleep medicine) with orthodontics as an adjunct when bite/skeletal findings warrant it. AAPD
What’s the process if you suspect airway issues?
We screen, document findings, treat orthodontic problems when indicated, and coordinate referrals (and sleep testing when prescribed by your physician). AAPD
